Rebar Corrosion Voltmeter

Basic Half Cell System for Locating Areas of Rebar Corrosion

Caltech Engineering Services offer rebar corrosion voltmeter kit complete economical kit for
identifying areas of rebar corrosion in concrete as per ASTM C-876.

Rebar corrosion voltmeter kit includes half-cell and voltmeter integrated with a high
impedance and long earth cable and dispensing damp sponge. When rebar corrosion
voltmeter DV-05 is connected between the reinforcing steel, Cu-CuSO4 reference half-cell
electrode (Fontana-101F) and specially made highly electrical conductive dispensing sponge
on the concrete surface where a measurement can be made for the half-cell potential. This
gives measurement of the probability of corrosion activity. By testing at a fixed distance apart,
a grid of half-cell potentials can be developed and areas delineated.

DV-05 Rebar Corrosion Voltmeter has following features:

Easy to use
Detachable electrode extension pieces facilitate measurements in hard to reach
locations - Optional
High impedance digital meter is designed for tough field conditions
Electrode is designed for use on horizontal, vertical and inverted positions
Economical
Conforms to ASTM C-876

Corrosion, which is an electrochemical process, occurs in concrete when oxygen and

moisture are present. The actual corrosion is an exchange of energy within different sections
of the uncoated reinforcing steel. The relative energy levels can be determined in relation to a
reference electrode with a stable electrochemical potential.

Caltech Engineering Services

D-104, Twin Arcade, Military Road, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai 400059 India
Tel: +91 22 29204050 / 29201454 Fax: +91 22 29250932 e-mail: info@caltechindia.com
By connecting a high impedance voltmeter between the reinforcing steel and a reference
electrode placed on the concrete surface, a measurement can be made for the half cell
potential at the location of the reference cell. This then is a measurement of the probability of
corrosion activity in the steel in the vicinity of the reference cell. This is used to locate
corroding steel reinforcement

The reference half cell is copper in a copper sulphate solution. By taking half cell potential
measurements a fixed distance apart a grid of half cell potentials can be quickly made and
thus areas delineated with a high probability of corrosion of the reinforcing steel.

To analyze the results, the measurements made with DV-05 rebar corrosion voltmeter can be
plotted on a grid and lines of equipotential contours drawn, highlighting areas of possible
corrosion activity.

For example the following guide is listed in ASTM C-876 using a copper-
copper sulphate half cell:

For readings of 350mV and greater there is a 95% chance of active steel corrosion
For readings 200 to 350mV there is a 50% chance of active steel corrosion
For readings less than 200mV there is only 5% chance of active steel corrosion

The method is particularly useful for:

Bridge Decks
Parking Garages
Concrete Piers & Docks
Substructure
Tunnel Lining

Ordering info:

DV-05 Kit Rebar Corrosion Voltmeter Kit

Fontana-201 Reference Electrode
DV-05DS Dispensing sponge
DV-05CR Cable reel with 100 ft. (32 meters) cable
DV-05 V Half Cell Voltmeter

Caltech Engineering Services

D-104, Twin Arcade, Military Road, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai 400059 India
Tel: +91 22 29204050 / 29201454 Fax: +91 22 29250932 e-mail: info@caltechindia.com